Toxicological Evaluation of a Beryllium Motor Exhaust Product
Abstract
A sample of an exhaust product collected from a beryllium-fueled NASA-JPL High Energy Upper Stage (HEUS) Motor has been evaluated for its physical and chemical characteristics and biological activity. The physical properties (surface area, crystallinity, average crystallite size, refractive index and density) of the 'BeO exhaust product' more closely resemble those of the higher fired BeO samples than those of 'active' BeO (calcined at 500C). The biological activity was evaluated during a 100-week period following intratracheal administration of the 'BeO exhaust product' to groups of rats in single doses of 50, 10, and 2 mg/kg. Histopathological examination 25, 50, 75 and 100 weeks following treatment revealed a pulmonary response to the 'BeO exhaust product' less severe than that induced by the BeO calcined at 500C, but with lesions similar in nature. Evaluation of tumorigenicity of the 'BeO exhaust product' showed fewer tumors than were found in rats treated with the BeO calcined at 500C. Studies on translocation of beryllium to extrapulmonary tissues (liver, kidney, spleen and bone), conducted 25 and 100 weeks following treatment, showed tissue levels of beryllium from 50 mg/kg 'BeO exhaust product' to be lower than those from 50 mg/kg BeO calcined at 500C.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0756531
Entities
People
- Charles G. Humiston
- Gary L. Sparschu
- Howard C. Spencer
- Richard J. Kociba
- Susan B. Mccollister